Our story

Hi, I’m Dr. Susie Davies. I’m a GP and the mum of three teenagers.

Seven years ago, while working as a university GP, I began noticing that more and more of my students were struggling with their mental health—especially anxiety, low mood, self-harm, and low self-esteem. I observed that the students with the poorest mental health often had an unhealthy relationship with their devices. Constant notifications, social media pressure, and endless scrolling were leaving them overwhelmed and disconnected.

At the same time, at home, my 10-year-old daughter was asking for her first smartphone. I felt completely torn. I didn’t want her to feel left out, but I also couldn’t ignore what I was seeing in my clinic every day. When I spoke to other parents, I realised I wasn’t alone. We were all wrestling with the same questions—and we needed support. That’s why, in 2018, I founded PAPAYA (Parents Against Phone Addiction in Young Adults).

Papaya Talks is a space for families to feel empowered (not judged) when it comes to screen time and smartphones. We want to help spark vital conversations that support families in navigating the digital age with more confidence and less conflict.

Today, this topic is finally getting the prominence it deserves—thanks in part to the brilliant Smartphone Free Childhood campaign, which we’re now proud to be working with as their official talks provider.

Parents everywhere are waking up—not only to the risks of smartphones and social media, but to the fact that we really can change things if we work together.

Dr Susie Davies

Founder & CEO, Papaya Talks

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Our mission

At Papaya, our mission is to empower parents and young people to make thoughtful, informed choices about when and how to engage with smartphones and social media.

Through our expert-led talks in schools and communities, we help families cut through the noise, understand what the research really says, and open up the conversations that matter.

Papaya talks bring parents together – often for the first time –to think strategically, not reactively, about smartphones, social media and screens.

We offer practical steps, real-life stories, and a sense of community so that no one feels like they’re swimming against the tech tide alone.

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Our impact

In the 2025-2026 academic year alone, we delivered workshops to over 31,000 children and led parent talks across 220+ schools— helping families navigate tech balance, together.